Adelaide Metro receives first two battery-electric buses

Adelaide’s public transport bus fleet has begun a new phase of electrification. Operator Adelaide Metro has taken delivery of the initial two vehicles from supplier Scania, marking the start of a rollout that will see 60 electric buses operating across the network by mid-2026.

Adelaide metro south australia electric buses scania — Image: Adelaide Metro

According to the announcement, the new buses are ‘due to hit the road next week’ and are intended to provide commuters with ‘a cleaner, smoother and more sustainable ride’. The electric buses will progressively replace ageing diesel vehicles, supporting South Australia’s wider ambition to decarbonise public transport operations.

The order for all 60 buses had been placed in March of this year. According to previous information, the Scania buses will be built by Victoria’s bus manufacturer Volgren.

The battery-electric buses will be deployed on the same routes and terrain currently served by diesel vehicles. Each bus offers seating for 43 passengers and is designed to travel up to approximately 350 kilometres on a single charge, making them suitable for a full day of urban service without mid-shift recharging.

To support the new fleet, charging infrastructure is being expanded at the Morphettville depot, where new charging bays are being installed ahead of the wider rollout. The buses will be charged at the depot, integrating electric operations into existing fleet management processes.

Once the full fleet is deployed, the electric buses are expected to reduce carbon emissions by more than 4,500 tonnes per year, described as equivalent to the electricity consumption of around 1,500 homes. The reduction will contribute to the State Government’s long-term target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Electrification of buses forms part of a wider transition strategy. The Department has engaged Mott MacDonald and WSP to develop detailed business cases supporting the shift to zero-emission operations across metropolitan bus and rail services. Since September 2022, procurement of diesel-only buses has ceased, with all new vehicles required to be either diesel-electric hybrid or fully battery electric.

dit.sa.gov.au